Page 97 of Balancing Act

Her ears burned at the mention of her name coming from Lily as if she, too, were in some sort of trouble.

There was a pause, and Jamie could practically hear Beth’s concern and frustration through the phone.

“Fine,” Lily muttered reluctantly, before handing the phone back to Jamie, looking slightly chastened. “She wants to talk to you.”

Jamie put the phone to her ear. “Hey,” she said softly.

Beth let out a frustrated sigh. Her voice was sharp and authoritative in a way Jamie hadn’t heard before. “Well, she’s grounded, starting immediately.” Beth paused, the sternness giving way to a quieter, more vulnerable tone. “Thank you, Jamie. I swear, I don’t know how you always know exactly what to say to her.”

“I get where she’s coming from. I used to feel a lot of the same things.” Jamie said carefully, “I was wondering... if you’re okay with it—and if Sarah’s okay with it—could Lily stay with me for the night?” Lily’s head whipped around at Jamie’s suggestion, her face brightening instantly. “I think it might be good for her,” she added. “We’ll grab some food, have a quiet night in, and reset. Nothing crazy. And then I can drive her home tomorrow.”

“Are you sure? That’s not too much?” Beth asked softly.

“Sounds like a fun night to me.” Jamie winked at Lily, who was hanging on their every word.

“Okay, well, if you’re sure...” Beth’s tone was filled with resignation and trust. “That should be good. My flight arrives late tomorrow, but you can drop her off at Sarah’s whenever.”

“Sounds like a plan. I’ll make sure she calls you before bed.”

Out of the corner of her eye, Jamie noticed Lily doing a small happy dance in her seat, her excitement radiating through an exaggerated shimmy of her shoulders. Jamie chuckled, and warmth spread through her chest as she realized how quickly the tension had eased from Lily.

“Thank you,” Beth said again, her voice heavier this time, as if trying to convey how much this meant to her. “I owe you.”

Jamie’s lips quivered into a playful smile as the words slipped out before she could stop them. “You don’t, but if youfeel like you do, I won’t stop you.” Jamie cleared her throat quickly, straightening in her seat.

On the other end, Beth tried to suppress her laugh, but Jamie could hear the faint chuckle as she responded. “Can you please put Lily back on the phone?”

Jamie handed the phone to Lily, who eagerly grabbed it, lifting it to her ear. “Yes, Mom—okay, I know. Love you, too. Bye.” Lily’s voice was rushed, but she ended the call with fondness. She returned the phone to Jamie, a slight grin tugging at the corner of her mouth. “Mom says bye and that she’ll be able to talk more when we call her tonight.”

Jamie slipped the phone into her bag and turned her full attention to Lily. “Great. How about we grab some food? I don’t know about you, but I’m starving.”

Lily nodded enthusiastically, the tension in her posture melting away. “Yes, please.”

A little while later, Jamie and Lily were back at her house, a takeout bag from Jamie’s favorite burger place on the counter. They ate their food on a makeshift table, sitting on the floor. After they’d eaten, Jamie handed Lily a controller and loaded up Mario Kart. “Don’t think I’ll go easy on you,” Jamie teased, grinning.

Lily smiled—her first genuine one all night. “Bring it on.”

They played in comfortable silence, the tension from earlier slowly fading. By the third race, Jamie noticed Lily glancing her way, as if she were working up the courage to say something.

Lily paused the game after kicking her butt for two rounds and place the controller on the couch next to her. Her gaze carried the same intensity Jamie had observed from her whenever she approached a new move in one of her routines.

“Jamie, why did you retire?”

Whatever she had been expecting Lily to ask, it hadn’t been that. Her mouth opened and closed once, twice, a third time before she managed to turn any word into a sound.

“Why?” Jamie asked cautiously, as she reached for her water, trying to buy some time. How the hell was she supposed to have this conversation with Lily?

Lily raised a blonde eyebrow at her, imploring her for an answer.

Jamie considered her for a moment. She could do this. She could totally do this. But a bigger question loomed in the back of her mind. It wasn’tcouldshe do this, butshouldshe do this. Should she tell Lily why she walked away from it all at the height of her career? Jamie swallowed hard, the words heavy on her tongue. She wanted to protect Lily’s innocence but didn’t want to lie to her either. She also didn’t want to run from her truth anymore. She exhaled slowly.

She wished Beth were here. How could she boil down everything she’d been through into digestible tidbit appropriate for a fifteen-year-old? Jamie had been through so much by Lily’s age, but Lily still carried a childlike wonder she wanted to protect. Still, she deserved the truth.

Jamie fidgeted with the controller still in her hands.

“Well...” She hesitated, glancing at Lily. “You know how I said running from your problems doesn’t solve anything? I had to learn that the hard way.”

Lily nodded, tucking her legs under her as Jamie continued.